Floribunda rose plant named &#39;KORpancom&#39;

ABSTRACT

Groundcover rose plant having compact growth; salmon pink flowers; being very floriferous; and resistant to mildew.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Rosa hybrida

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘KORPANCOM’

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the floribunda class which was originated by me by crossing thevariety ‘KORwonder’ (unpatented) with the variety ‘KORgram’(unpatented).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietyproviding a healthy and low-growing floribunda-type groundcover.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective was substantially achieved, along with other desirableimprovements, as evidenced by the following unique combination ofcharacteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and thatdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich I am aware:

-   -   1. Compact growth;    -   2. Salmon pink flowers;    -   3. Very floriferous; and    -   4. Very resistant to mildew.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by rooting cuttings asperformed at Sparrieshoop, Germany and Somis, Calif., shows that theforegoing and all other characteristics and distinctions come true toform and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

Comparison with Parents

‘KORwonder,’ the seed parent, is a white flowered groundcover with alow, spreading habit. ‘KORgram,’ the pollen parent, is anupright-growing, pink floribunda. ‘KORpancom’ is a coral groundcoverthat is upright and spreading. It is intermediate to the parents inplant habit, has a different flower color to both parents, and smallerflowers that the male parent ‘KORgram’.

Comparison with Similar Variety

‘KORpancom’ has smaller leaves, more compact habit, and more petals thansimilar varieties ‘KORfullwind’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,872) and‘KORtemma’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,115). It also has a smaller, morespreading plant and more petals than ‘TANigino’ (U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/448,248) and ‘TANotax,’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,572) othersimilar varieties. In addition, it is distinct from all four in flowercolor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—‘KORwonder’.        -   Pollen parent.—‘KORgram’.

FLOWER

Observations made from plants of two years of age grown in a gardenenvironment at Somis, Calif. in January, 2000-August, 2001.

-   Blooming habit: Continuous.-   Bud:    -   -   Size.—About 16 to 18 mm long when the petals start to            unfurl.        -   Form.—The bud form is pointed ovoid.        -   Color.—When sepals first divide, bud color is Red Group 52B.            Occasionally petal underside has Yellow-White Group 158D            streaks. When half blown, the upper sides of the petals are            Red Group 43C; and the lower sides of the petals are Red            Group 52B.        -   Sepals.—Color: Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 146D with            prominent streak of 144D. Lower surface: Green Group 143B            with prominent midrib of Yellow-Green Group 145B. Length:            20-22 mm. Width: 4-5 mm. Shape: Subulate. Surface texture:            Upper: Hoary. Lower: Margins glandular. There are three            lightly appendaged sepals. There are two unappendaged sepals            with hairy edges.        -   Receptacle.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 144B with occassional            anthocyanin of Greyed-Orange Group 176B. Shape: Funnel.            Size: Small, about 7 mm long×5 mm wide. Surface: Smooth.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Short, averaging about 25-30 mm. Surface:            Glandular. Color: Yellow-Green Group 145B with occassional            anthocyanin of Greyed-Orange Group 176A. Strength: Stiff.-   Bloom:    -   -   Size.—Small. Average open size is 60-65 mm.        -   Borne.—In pyramidal clusters of 3-5 blooms.        -   Stems.—Strength: Normal. Average length is about 15-20 cm.        -   Form.—When first open: High centered. Permanence: Outer            petal edges curl slightly.        -   Petalage.—Number of petals under normal conditions: 30-35.        -   Color.—The upper sides of the petals are Red Group 52C with            a Yellow Group 7D quarter moon spot at base having a 1-2 mm            wide Red Group 56D halo. The reverse sides of the petals are            Red Group 55A, the base portion of each petal being Red            Group 56D. The major color on the upper side is Red Group            52C.        -   Variegations.—None.        -   Discoloration.—The general tonality at the end of the first            day: Red Group 52C. At the end of the third day: Red Group            52C. By day 5 fades to Red Group 52D.        -   Fragrance.—Slight.-   Petals:    -   -   Texture.—Thin.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Apex shape.—Obtuse.        -   Base shape.—Cuneate.        -   Form.—Tips slightly recurved.        -   Arrangement.—Imbricated. Petaloids in the center are few            (3-5).        -   Petaloid color.—Red Group 52C.        -   Persistence.—Petals drop off cleanly before drying.        -   Lastingness.—On the plant: Fair (about 7-9 days). As a cut            flower: Fair (about 9-11 days).-   Reproductive parts:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 80-100. Anthers: Size: 1 mm. Color:            Yellow-Orange Group 17C. Arrangement: Regular around styles.            Filaments: Color: Yellow Group 3C. Length: 3-4 mm. Pollen:            Color: Greyed-Orange Group 168D.        -   Pistils.—Number: 40-60. Styles: Color: Yellow-Green Group            154C. Length: 4-5 mm. Stigmas: Color: Greyed-Yellow Group            160B.        -   Hips.—None observed.

PLANT

-   -   -   Form.—Bush.        -   Growth.—Upright, branching.        -   Mature plant.—Height: 40-45 cm. Width: 55-60 cm.

-   Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: 5-7.    -   -   Size.—70-75 mm long×55-60 mm wide.        -   Quantity.—Normal.        -   Color.—New foliage: Upper side: Greyed-Orange Group 176A            with midrib of Yellow-Green Group 145B. Lower side:            Greyed-Orange Group 176B. Old foliage: Upper side: Green            Group 137B. Lower side: Yellow-Green Group 146B.

-   Leaflets:    -   -   Size.—Length: 35-40 mm. Width: 20-25 mm.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Base shape.—Obtuse.        -   Apex shape.—Acuminate.        -   Texture.—Upper side: Glossy, smooth.        -   Edge.—Serrated.        -   Serrations.—Single, small.        -   Petiole color.—Yellow-Green Group 145B.        -   Petiole rachis.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 145B.        -   Petiole underside.—Prickles.        -   Auricle shape, if present.—None.        -   Stipules.—Medium (about 3-5 mm), bearded.        -   Disease resistance.—Resistant to mildew, susceptible to            blackspot and rust under normal growing conditions.        -   Pest persistence.—Not observed.

-   Wood:    -   -   New wood.—Color: Greyed-Purple Group 183C rapidly becoming            Yellow-Green Group 147B. Bark: Smooth.        -   Old wood.—Color: Green Group 137B. Bark: Smooth.

-   Prickles:    -   -   Quantity.—On main canes from base: 13-15 per 15 cm. On            laterals from main canes: 13-15 per 15 cm.        -   Form.—Straight. Length: 6-7 mm. Width: 5-6 mm.        -   Color when young.—Greyed-Purple Group 187B.        -   Color when mature.—Greyed-Orange Group 177B.

-   Small prickles:    -   -   Quantity.—On main stalks: Few. On laterals: Few.        -   Color.—Greyed-Purple Group 187B.

-   Winter hardiness: Hardy to Zone 5.

1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the groundcover class,substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularlyby compact growth; salmon pink flowers; being very floriferous, andresistant to mildew.